World Hepatitis Day takes places every year on 28 July bringing the world together under a single theme to raise awareness of the global burden of viral hepatitis and to influence real change. The global and Australian theme for World Hepatitis Day 2022 is "Hepatitis Can't Wait".
On World Hepatitis Day 2022, NSW Health, Hepatitis NSW and partners will work together to raise awareness and highlight the importance of hepatitis testing, treatment and care in the community, no matter what type of hepatitis a person may have. Find out more about World Hepatitis Day 2022.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) aims to achieve hepatitis elimination by 2030. NSW Health has set an ambitious target to achieve this by 2028 for hepatitis C. This is possible as hepatitis C can be treated.
In NSW, around 40,000 people live with hepatitis C, and many are unaware they have the virus.
Hepatitis C (known as Hep C) is a blood-borne virus that affects the liver and spreads through blood from one person to another. Highly effective and simple treatments cure Hep C and prevent liver disease and liver cancer.
The main cause of Hep C infection is by sharing needles, syringes, or other injecting equipment, including spoons.
How do I know if I have Hep C?
Many people have no symptoms and are unaware they have the virus.
If you have ever injected drugs, you should speak to your doctor about getting a Hep C test, even if you've been treated in the past.
Get tested
Visit your GP or order a free, at-home dried-blood spot (DBS) test. The DBS test is private and involves taking a few blood drops from your finger and mailing the test back to the DBS team.
For more information about DBS and how to order it, visit the DBS website.
Find a local GP or specialist service at the NSW Local Services Directory: Clinics and Specialists
Get cured
If you have Hep C, you can easily get treated in 8-12 weeks with oral pills. Treatment is 95 per cent effective. There are no injections needed.
For more information about testing and treatment, or to speak to someone about Hep C today visit:
https://www.hepc.org.au/ or call
1800 803 990.
Prevent Infection
You can prevent Hep C by using sterile injecting equipment. Sterile injecting equipment is available through Needle and Syringe Programs (NSPs) across NSW. Use the interactive map to find an NSP Outlet near you.
Vital voices: Personal stories of treatment for hepatitis C
Vital Voices is a website that shares important stories about Hep C, showcasing the lives of people affected by Hep C. The stories cover misconceptions about treatment and demonstrates why testing and treatment is important.
You can listen to these stories on the Vital Voices website.
Get Involved!
Hepatitis Awareness Week (26 July – 01 August) and World Hepatitis Day (28 July) are coming up! NSW Health encourages the community and health professionals to get involved and spread the word about Hep C testing and treatment. For events near you, visit the Hepatitis NSW website: https://www.hep.org.au/.
For free and confidential advice 24/7 call Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS) on 1800 250 015. Counsellors are available to provide counselling, information, referrals, and support. Or start a Web Chat with an ADIS counsellor online Monday to Friday, 8.30am – 5:00pm. ADIS can also provide up-to-date information about service availability in your area during the COVID-19 pandemic.
